Goose hunters spark shutdown at weapons facility

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January 15, 2010 11:07:24 AM PST

AMARILLO, TX --

Two goose hunters caused a security lockdown at the nation's only nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly plant near Amarillo. Carson County Sheriff Tam Terry says two hunters were spotted Friday about two miles south of the Pantex site by some employees as they headed to work.

The employees reported the hunters to plant officials, who then called Terry's office and asked for an investigation.

Terry says the hunters turned out to be Department of Energy employees assigned to the plant. Both were found to be hunting legally in an area not on plant property.

Pantex, in a news release late Friday morning, said the security issue at the plant had been resolved. An earlier statement said the plant was responding to concerns reported by Pantex employees.